RICH  : AND  : PRODUCTIVE 

LANDS 


,owER  California 

CHEAP. 

ABSOLUTE  PATENT  TiTLE  FROM  THE  FEDERAL  GOVERNMENT  OF  MEXICO. 


Griven.  in.  Eactx  Case  t>y  the 

International  ^ Company  ^ of  ^ Mexico, 

Who  are  authorized  agents  of  the  Government  of  Mexico. 

Parties  desiring  homes  or  investments,  where  the  finest  land,  abund- 
ance of  water,  and  balmy,  healthful  climate,  will  attract  thousands  of  home- 
builders, and  health-seekers,  are  requested  to  investigate  the  advantages 
which  are  offered  by  our  cheap  lands. 

We  will  take  pleasure  in  giving  full  information  and  in  showing  our 
lands.  It  is  no  trouble  to  answer  questions. 

This  section  is  easily  reached  from  San  Diego  by  the  fine  new  steamer, 
‘‘Carlos  Pacheco,”  which  leaves  Babcock  & Story’s  wharf,  San  Diego,  every 
Monday,  Wednesday  and  Friday,  at  6 :30  p.  m. 


INTERNATIONAL  COMPANY  OF  MEXICO 

LAND  DEPARTMENT. 

charl.es  b.  turrill, 

Assistant  Band  Comnaissloner, 

Room  6,  First  National  Bank  Building, 

SAN  DIEQO,  CAD. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  LANDS 


IN 


OWER 


ORNIA 


FOR  SALE  BY  THE 


International  Company  of  Mexico. 


ABSOLUTE  PATENT  TITLE  FROM  THE  FEOERAL  GOVERNMENT 

OF  MEXICO. 


SAN  DIEGO, 

Ferguson,  Bumgardner  & Co., 
JULY,  1887. 


THE  T INTERpTIDNAL  T COMPANY 

OF 

MEXICO, 


President  : 

EDGAR  T.  WELLES,  - . . - - 

New  York. 

Vice-President  and  General  Manager  : 

GEORGE  H.  SISSON, 

Assistant  General  Manager  : 

- San  Diego. 

THOMAS  G.  WELLES,  - . 

Treasurer  : 

Ensenada. 

RICHARD  A.  ELMER,  ----- 
Resident  Director  : 

- New  York. 

LUIS  HULLER, 

Land  Commissioner  : 

City  of  Mexico. 

W.  E.  WEBB,  - 

Assistant  Land  Commissioner  : 

- New  York. 

CHARLES  B.  TURRILL,  - - - - 

Resident  Agent  : 

San  Diego. 

CHARLES  SCOFIELD,  ----- 

Resident  Agent: 

- San  Diego. 

M.  BERNSTEIN, 

Chicago  Representative  : 
GEORGE  W.  SNYDER,  M.  D. 

Western  Land  Agents: 

Ensenada. 

HANBURY  & GARVEY,  - - San  Diego  and  Ensenada. 


ei;kopean  represei^taxive  : 

CAPTAIN  FRANCIS  PAVY, London 

New  York  Office,  - - - 160  Broadway. 

San  Diego  Office,  - First  National  Bank  Building. 

San  Francisco  Office,  Room  7,  328  Montgomery  St. 
London  Office,  - No.  4,  Bank  Building,  E.  C. 

Chicago  Office,  - . . _ Burke’s  Hotel. 

Ensenada  Office,  - - No.  7 Ryerson  Avenue. 


owER  California, 


STflTHmH^SLT. 

During  the  past  few  years,  marked  by  the  peace  and  order  which 
has  come  to  the  people  of  Mexico  as  an  outgrowth  of  the  troubles  of 
the  French  Intervention,  which  unified  the  Nation  as  nothing  hither- 
to had  done,  there  grew  up  a desire  for  those  advantages  enjoyed  by 
other  peoples  as  incidents  of  national  growth,  development  of  natural 
resources  and  quickened  intercourse  with  each  other  and  the  outer 
world.  A vast  railroad  system  has  resulted,  telegraph  lines  have 
been  carried  across  mountains  and  uninhabited  zones  to  distant  bor- 
der colonies  within  their  territories,  and  the  postal  service  greatly 
enlarged. 

Desiring  a more  rapid  increase  of  population,  public  sentiment 
was  formulated  in  the  law  of  December  15th,  1883,  or  the  “Coloniza- 
tion Act,”  so-called,  passed  by  Congress  after  full  deliberation,  and 
promulgated  by  the  Chief  Executive  with  due  formality,  as  the  date 
named  above. 

In  this  act  a general  invitation  is  given  to  citizens  of  other  na- 
tions to  share  in  the  advantages  of  a new  country,  rich  in  all  natural 
wealth,  and  full  of  rare  possibilities  for  good,  and  provision  is  made 
for  segregating  and  distributing  the  public  lands  on  a liberal  scale 
far  in  advance  of  American  ideas  to  date. 

Under  this  law,  and  in  full  conformity  with  its  profusions,  “The 
International  Company  of  Mexico,”  a corporation  existing  under 
special  charter  from  the  State  of  Connecticut,  and  hafung  its  head- 
quarters in  Hartford,  has  acquired,  as  the  virtual  distributing  agent 
of  the  Mexican  Government,  a complete  and  perfect  title  to 

EIGHTEEN  MILLION  ACRES  OF  LAND  IN  THE  MEXICAN  TERRITORY  OF 

Lower  California.  For  two  years  this  corporation  was  engaged  in 
surveying  these  lands.  One-third  of  the  public  lands  so  surveyed 
passed  to  the  company  without  further  cost,  as  payment  for  services 
so  rendered — the  other  two-thirds  being  acquired  by  purchase  from 
the  F ederal  Government. 


( 4 ) 

The  lands  begin  at  the  United  States  boundary  line,  fifteen  miles 
below  San  Diego,  California,  or  parallel  82  degrees  42  minutes  north 
latitude,  and  run  south  to  parallel  28,  north  latitude,  and  extend 
from  the  Gulf  of  California  on  the  east  to  the  Pacific  Ocean  on  the 
west.  This  vast  territory  is  now  for  sale. 

Lower  California  is  practically  an  unknown  country  to  the  pres- 
ent generation.  Three  and  a half  centuries  ago  it  became  known  to 
the  adventurous  spirits  of  that  date,  and  expedition  after  expedition 
was  fitted  out  to  seek  its  shores,  many  returning  successful  in  their 
search  for  wealth.  In  later  times  our  own  Boston  merchants  have 
shared  large  profits  in  this  field — one  ship  alone  yielding  net  returns 
of  nearly  two  millions  of  dollars  in  a single  trip.  Well  understood 
causes  have  intervened  to  change  events,  until  the  order  of  things 
now  presented  by  the  Mexican  Government  once  more  brings  this 
rich  and  attractive  country  to  public  notice.  For  the  first  time  in 
its  history  it  is  now  open  for  settlement  bona  fide  and  in  legal  form, 
and  a way  presented  for  the  giving  of  perfect  titles  and  actual  pos- 
session. 

The  southern  one-half  of  Lower  California  has  a population  of 
about  twenty-five  thousand  people,  mostly  of  Spanish  descent,  with  a 
few  American  families,  and  more  German  and  other  foreign  nation- 
alities represented.  The  northern  part  of  this  peninsula,  or  that  por- 
tion owned  and  controlled  by  this  corporation,  has  about  five  hun- 
dred settlers  within  its  limits,  most  of  whom  speak  the  Englisli 
language. 

This  marked  difference  in  population  arose  from, — 

First — The  early  discovery  of  pearls  in  the  South,  and  the  conse- 
quent expeditions  that  followed  thereto; 

Second — The  finding  of  valuable  dyes  and  other  woods,  which 
yielded  cargoes  for  ships,  thus  compelling  the  early  locating 
of  ports  of  entry;  and 

Third — The  people  naturally  drawn  there;  all  Pacific  coast  steamers 
of  this  latitude  stop  regularly  at  these  ports. 

Many  valuable  mines  having  subsequently  been  discovered,  oc- 
cupation has  been  afforded  to  a large  laboring  class,  which,  together 
with  farming,  stock-raising  and  fruit  culture,  keeps  up  a large  com- 
mercial current.  Had  not  an  almost  insuperable  mountain  range 
intervened,  dividing  the  territory  about  midway,  this  people  would 
naturally  have  drifted  north.  As  it  is,  however,  the  northern  part 
being  only  easy  of  access  from  the  United  States  border,  this  portion 
has  been  unoccupied,  while  California  has  been  filling  up  with 
settlers. 

Our  so-called  American  frontier  having  disappeared,  we  are  pre- 
sented with  a new  field  in  this  peninsula  land,  which  for  fertility  of 


(5) 

soil,  diversity  of  adaptability,  favoring  climate  and  beauty  of 
scenery,  is  not  inferior,  and  in  many  things  superior,  to  the  State 
of  California. 

The  new  railroad  system,  the  later  steamship  lines  now  running, 
and  the  opening  of  several  ports  of  entry,  render  the  isolation  of  this 
region  a thing  of  the  past. 

A mountain  uplift,  extending  north  and  south  through  the  pen- 
insula, gives  us  table  lands,  foot-hills,  large  and  small  valleys,  and 
vast  plains.  Running  streams,  springs  of  hot  and  cold  water,  living 
lakes  and  pools,  are  features  here  found;  while  wells  can  be  sunk 
almost  without  limit,  some  flowing,  and  all  of  them  inexhaustible. 
The  mountain  range  has  a vast  pine  belt,  easy  of  access.  The  foot- 
hills are  covered  with  live-oak  and  other  growths.  Everywhere  there 
is  abundant  grass.  One  may  drive  for  five  consecutive  days  over 
clover,  alfilaria  and  wild  oats,  which  shall  measure  twelve  to 
eighteen  inches  in  height.  The  foot-hills  and  mountains,  from  base 
to  summit,  have  bunch-grasses  and  edible  shrubs  on  which  cattle 
thrive  and  are  fat  the  year  round.  The  little  farms  already  occu- 
pied, here  and  there,  show  luxuriant  growths  of  grapes,  oranges,  limes, 
figs,  bananas,  dates,  cocoanuts,  pineapples  and  other  products. 
Wheat,  barley  and  corn  is  grown  everywhere  and  with  abundant 
yield.  On  the  table  lands  and  in  the  higher  valleys  the  fruits  inci- 
dent to  the  State  of  New  York,  such  as  apples,  peaches,  pears,  plums, 
cherries  and  small  fruits,  grow  well.  The  finest  raisins  and  the 
choicest  wines  are  produced  here,  and  everywhere  in  fact  throughout 
the  peninsula. 

Lying  midway  between  the  northerly  winter  rains  and  the 
southerly  summer  rains,  this  land  partakes  somewhat  of  the  charac- 
teristics of  each  range.  The  most  rain  falls  in  winter.  There  is  no 
snow,  or  ice,  or  frost,  except  on  the  most  elevated  tables,  valleys  and 
peaks.  The  sun  shines  during  some  portion  of  the  day  for  at  least 
three  hundred  and  fifty  days  of  each  year.  It  is  never  very  hot,  and 
is  never  cold.  The  average  summer  heat  is  74  degrees.  In  winter 
it  rarely  falls  below  47  degrees.  There  are  ten  thousand  possible 
mines  here,  for  everywhere  in  the  mountains  is  found  gold,  silver, 
copper,  nickel,  antimony,  quicksilver,  sulphur  and  iron,  while  partial 
explorations  have  also  revealed  vast  deposits  of  marble,  red  sand- 
stone, hone-stone  and  alabaster.  A salt  deposit,  practically  inex- 
haustible, is  found  at  San  Quintin  Bay,  and  is  of  great  value  for 
use  along  the  west  coast. 

One  portion  of  the  country  is  rich  in  fibre  plants  from  which 
such  a large  trade  has  sprung  up  in  Yucatan.  Another  large  tract 
is  densely  covered  with  a species  of  palm,  which  })roduces  the  finest 
Wood-pulp  known  to  the  paper  trade.  The  London  Telegraph  news- 
paper is  printed  upon  paper  made  from  the  same  material  gathered 


(6) 

in  a similar  locality  in  California,  where  this  plant  grows  somewhat 
sparsely. 

In  climate,  soil,  and  characteristic  production,  many  portions  of 
this  land  are  favored  duplicates  of  Los  Angeles,  Riverside  and  San 
Diego,  so  noted  in  California.  Our  people  now  coming  in  are  selling 
out  their  properties  at  high  prices  in  California,  Oregon,  Kansas, 
Iowa,  Illinois,  and  as  far  east  as  Pennsylvania,  and  intend  to  dupli- 
cate their  experiences  and  the  profits  of  fruit-culture,  grain-growing 
and  stock-raising  with  us. 

Lower  California,  as  little  known  as  Africa,  is  to-day  the  Ameri- 
can frontier.  If  ever  earth  and  sky  and  air  joined  in  invitation,  it 
is  here. 


DETflILi. 

The  peninsula  of  Lower  California  may  he  specially  recom- 
mended for  the  following  purposes,  amongst  others,  to-wit : 

First. — The  growing  of  grains  and  of  fruits,  being  adapted  to  a marked 
degree  to  the  latter  named,  on  account  of  soil,  sunny  weather 
without  too  great  heat,  absence  of  frost  to  injure,  and  a just 
mean  as  regards  moisture.  As  a result,  all  fruits  ripen  well, 
the  characteristic  flavor  is  preserved,  the  grapes  destined  for 
raisins  develop  much  saccharine  matter,  while  those  of  the 
wine-making  variety  distill  a wonderful  bouquet. 

The  wines  made  here  by  the  Jesuit  fathers  and  their  pupils 
in  early  days  resembled  the  notable  and  costly  vintages  of  Im- 
perial Rome.  These  are  history  now,  yet  one  may  drink  the 
same  in  some  old  mission  town  in  Lower  California  to- day. 

The  growing  of  wheat,  barley  and  corn  is  recommended, 
for  the  reasons:  There  is  a large  demand  for  these  along  the* 

entire  Pacific  coast  of  Mexico  far  beyond  the  present  output; 
the  deficiency  is  made  up  from  abroad;  the  import  duty  is 
heavy,  and  as  a result  those  who  grow  these  grains  within  the 
country  have  a much  larger  margin  of  profit  thereby. 

Second. — Stock-raising.  Emphasis  is  permissible  here  for  reasons: 
The  climate  inflicts  none  of  those  terrible  penalties  upon  herds, 
such  as  are  incident  to  the  latitudes  embraced  within  the  States 
of  Kansas,  Nebraska,  North-western  Texas  and  Colorado,  and 
the  territories  of  Northern  New  Mexico,  Northern  Arizona,  all 
of  Dakota,  Wyoming,  Nevada  and  part  of  Utah.  Loss  and  ruin 
to  owners,  and  cruel  suffering  and  death  to  stock  are  well-known 
features  and  need  no  comment;  while  in  fortunate  years  an  in- 
crease of  sixty-five  per  cent,  would  be  notable.  Per  contra — in 


(7) 

Lower  California  such  a thing  as  suffering  to  herds  from  cold, 
wandering  or  drifting  before  a storm,  are  things  unheard  of,  and 
to  the  natives  seem  an  impossible  tale.  Nor  are  cases  of  fever 
known,  either  at  home  or  as  an  after  development  when  driven 
north,  such  as  accompany  the  north-bound  herds  from  Chihua- 
hua, Texas,  Indian  Territory,  Southern  New  Mexico  and  South- 
ern Arizona.  The  annual  average  increase,  i.  e.,  calves  branded, 
in  Lower  California,  is  always  ninety  per  cent,  or  better.  By  ordi- 
nary care,  and  the  occasional  changes  and  additions  to  the  bull 
herd,  an  increase  of  ninety-five  per  cent,  may  be  safely  relied  on. 

The  customary  plan  for  herding  stock  in  all  Northern 
Mexico  is  the  dividing  into  bands  of  500  to  1,500  head,  and 
locating  each  band  at  a well,  spring  or  running  stream,  placing 
it  under  the  direct  care  of  a head  of  a family,  who  shall  reside 
at  this  center  as  a part  of  his  duty.  These  bands  have  a reason- 
able range  allowed  them,  an  occasional  change  being  made,  and 
thus  becoming  attached  to  home  and  guardian,  a domestic  stock 
is  raised,  which  is  easily  cared  for,  always  in  sight,  and  which 
fattens  readily  as  a natural  resultant.  Water  is  fairly  distribu- 
ted. If  wells  are  used,  as  is  common,  these  can  be  sunk  almost 
anywhere,  and  500  to  1,000  head  of  stock  are  commonly  watered 
from  a single  well,  which  is  operated  either  by  mule  power  or  by 
a windmill. 

Grass  is  plentiful.  The  varieties  are  wild  oats,  wild  clover, 
alfilaria  and  mountain  bunch-grass.  Cattle  fatten  also  and  feed 
greedily  upon  a thousand  varieties  of  shrubs  with  which  the 
mountains  and  foothills  abound.  A noteworthy  fact  in  the 
growth  of  cattle  is  this:  That  a steer  of  two  years  old  will  equal, 

in  measure  and  weight,  his  “three-year-old”  brother  in  the 
North.  No  storage  of  winter  feed  is  ever  necessary. 

Stock  begins  to  fatten  the  last  of  December.  In  February, 
March,  April,  May,  June,  July,  August  and  September,  they  are 
ready  for  the  market  at  the  pleasure  of  the  owner. 

At  present  about  5,000  head  could  be  sold  annually  as  fat 
cattle  for  the  local  and  San  Francisco  markets.  Many  addi- 
tional thousands,  however,  could  be  sold  for  stock  purposes  to 
Northern  herdsmen,  who  are  finding  it  more  profitable  to  buy 
and  fatten,  than  to  rear  with  the  heavy  loss  incident  to  young 
stock  in  the  North.  These  demands  are  rapidly  increasing, 
since  Northern  California  is  going  out  of  the  cattle  trade  and 
into  fruit.  The  climate  permits  the  introduction  of  grade  cattle, 
and  of  rapid  improvement  of  “blood”  in  the  herd. 

The  same  advantages  of  climate,  shelter,  food  and  water, 
apply  with  equal  force  to  the  rearing  of  horses,  mules,  sheep  and 
goats. 


(8) 

T he  horses  raised  in  this  latitude  and  section  of  country  are  noted 
for  endurance. 

Great  profit  can  be  realized  by  raising  mules  of  larger  size 
than  are  now  common — the  demand  for  large  mules  is  limitless, 
and  prices  are  good. 

' Sheep  do  well  here,  producing  a wool  of  remarkable  evenness 
— an  incident  of  the  uniformity  of  climate.  In  northern  wools 
an  expert  can  tell  the  number  of  severe  storms,  or  the  duration 
of  drought,  by  the  breaks  in  the  fibre. 

Many  persons  will  be  surprised  to  know  that  goats  are  a 
profitable  animal  to  breed. 

It  is  a fact  that  this  business  is  not  inferior  to  that  of  sheep- 
raising in  point  of  profit,  and  goats  are  bred  with  remarkable 
ease  and  success  here. 

Under  the  present  head  it  is  not  out  of  place  to  note  that 
manufacturing  interests,  such  as  woolen-mills,  grist-mills,  tan- 
neries and  meat-preserving  companies,  have  opened  to  them,  by 
reason  of  the  high  tariff  upon  imports,  the  demands  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  the  peculiarities  of  climate,  a field  of  unusual  profit 
here. 

Thikd. — As  a health  resort,  Lower  California  stands  at  the  very  front. 
The  purity  of  the  air;  the  increased  number  of  hours  permis- 
sible daily  for  open-air  exercise;  good  water;  no  swamps;  gentle 
winds;  freedom  from  extremes  of  heat  or  cold;  any  desired  alti- 
tude from  sea-ievel  to  one  thousand,  two  thousand,  three  thous- 
and, five  thousand  or  even  eight  thousand  feet  above  the  sea;  a 
variety  of  profitable  occupations  if  desired  or  of  sport,  such  as 
hunting  and  fishing  (plenty  of  either  and  of  the  very  best  of  each), 
boating,  riding,  driving,  with  most  attractive  natural  surround- 
ings; and  withal  a delightful  sense  of  freedom  from  the  weight 
and  care  of  life;  these  are  the  common  heritage  of  dwellers  on 
this  peninsula. 

Where  disease  of  the  heart  is  indicated,  or  there  is  intima- 
tion, or  even  marked  development  of  throat  and  lung  troubles, 
no  place  can  be  found  equal  to  this  for  their  relief.  In  middle 
life  or  more  advanced  age  the  dangers  of  winter  time  are  well 
known  to  those  suffering  from  cardiac  affections.  For  these  the 
sea  level  and  equable  climate  of  Lower  California  are  advised. 

Rheumatic  affections  yield  rapidly  to  the  climatic  influ- 
ences, and  severe  cases  of  an  inflammatory  character  have  ex- 
perienced speedy  relief. 

This  mild  climate  must  not  be  confounded  with  that  of 
Florida,  or  other  Southern  localities  within  the  United  States — 
for  where  in  the  latter  there  is  present  a feeling  of  lassitude,  here 
every  breath  gives  “tone,”  and  action  is  a pleasure. 


(9) 


I|StClDE^^TfiU. 

Subordinate  to  farming,  fruit-groAving  and  stock-raising  may 
be  mentioned — ■ 

IVIi ruing  : — Copper  mining  has  been  extensively  carried  on  for 
the  past, ten  years,  while  many  other  copper  fields  known  are 
quite  equal  in  promise  to  those  referred  to,  yet  lie  idle.  There 
are  also  very  extensive  gold  placers  in  two  large  fields,  upon 
which  little  is  done.  Lack  of  capital,  difficulty  of  access 
hitherto,  and  other  obstacles  which  are  removable,  have  pre- 
vented development.  Yet  these  placers  are  believed,  by  those 
who  know,  to  be  not  inferior  to  any  yet  worked  upon  the  whole 
American  continent.  Gold-quartz  ledges,  which  “prospect”  well, 
may  be  found  in  a hundred  or  more  localities.  Silver  ores  are 
known.  Coal  has  been  discovered,  but  its  extent  not  determined. 
Sulphur  deposits,  of  vast  extent,  are  known,  as  also  those  of 
alum,  nitre,  soda,  borax,  talc,  kaolin,  and  mines  of  quicksilver, 
tin,  nickel,  antimony,  iron,  lead,  zinc,  manganese  and  chro- 
mium. Much  stress  is  put  upon  the  value  of  the  great  salt 
deposits,  the  guano  deposits,  the  grindstone,  hone-stone,  alabas- 
ter, gypsum  and  beautiful  red  sandstone  for  building  purposes. 
For  special  reasons  these  all  are  of  great  importance  on  the 
Pacific  coast.  All  the  above  named  lie  idle,  waiting  for  the 
hand  of  energy. 

IVIa-ruijLfa.ctijiring  : — The  system  of  taxation  in  Mexico  is 
simply  “Import”  and  “Stamp”  duties.  Land  is  not  taxed. 

One’s  capital,  whether  invested  in  cattle,  manufacturing, 
etc.,  bears,  as  capital  invested,  a small  tax. 

All  this  means  heavy  import  duties.  As  the  people  them- 
selves have  no  capital,  there  is  little  or  no  production  at  home, 
and  their  wants  must  be  filled  from  abroad.  Now,  by  a mo- 
ment’s reflection,  and  a brief  reference  to  the  tariff  list,  any  one 
with  a little  capital,  and  a taste  for  manufacturing  in  any  line, 
no  matter  what,  may  here  find  all  the  suggestion  he  needs. 

All  such  articles  as  flour,  cotton  goods,  woolens,  utensils  of 
wood,  glass,  paper,  iron,  brass,  tin  or  copper,  tools  of  iron  or 
steel,  machinery,  hardware  of  every  kind,  iron  castings,  stoves, 
agricultural  implements,  household  furniture,  wearing  apparel, 
shoes,  harness,  saddles,  leather  and  all  goods  of  leather,  pottery, 
China  and  dishAvare,  canned  goods  of  fruits,  vegetables  or 


(10) 

meats — all  are  taxed  at  port  of  entry,  from  100  to  300  per  cent, 
upon  their  value. 

Carefully  noting  the  above,  additional  weight  attaches  to 
the  argument,  as  conditions  incident  to  the  concessions  from  the 
Government  to  “THE  INTERNATIONAL  COMPANY,”  namely: 

ALL  PURCHASERS  OF  LAND  FROM  THE  INTERNATIONAL  COMPANY, 
WHETHER  THEY  BECOME  COLONISTS  MERELY  WITHOUT  RENOUNCING 
ALLEGIANCE  TO  THEIR  PRESENT  GOVERNMENT,  OR  NATURALIZED. 

CITIZENS  OF  Mexico  in  fact — either  of  which  is  a matter  of 

CHOICE HAVE  THE  RIGHT  FOR  TWENTY  YEARS  TO  IMPORT  FOR 

THEIR  PERSONAL  USE,  ALL  HOUSEHOLD  AND  PERSONAL  EFFECTS,  ALL 
FARMING  IMPLEMENTS,  SEEDS,  HORSES  AND  CATTLE  FOR  USE  AND 
FOR  BREEDING,  TOOLS  OF  TRADE  OR  PROFESSION,  BUILDING  MATE- 
RIAL, AND  MACHINERY  OF  ANY  KIND  FOR  MANUFACTURING  PURPOSES, 

FREE  OF  DUTY. 

In  addition,  those  who  establish  any  new  industry  are  re- 
leased from  taxes  for  fifteen  years. 

IllULStrations  : — Canned  goods  cost  in  San  Francisco,  say,  20 
cents  per  can — in  Mexico  they  sell  for  $1.25  per  can,  the  differ- 
ence being  made  up  largely  in  the  cost  of  importation,  with 
duties  added. 

Mr.  Bennett  has  bought  of  us  land  upon  which  he  has 
erected  a large  plant  for  canning  fruits,  etc.  He  can  undersell 
importers  to  the  extent  of  stopping  their  trade,  and  still  make 
larger  profits  than  are  realized  in  the  States — since  the  duty 
upon  each  can  is  55  cents. 

Flour  costs  in  San  Francisco  $4.25  per  barrel — say  200 
pounds — -and  sells  in  Mexico  for  $12. 

The  difference  lies  mainly  in  the  duty,  and  manufacturers 
in  Mexico  can  stop  importation  if  they  but  meet  the  demand. 
(No  finer  wheat  can  be  produced  than  is  grown  here.)  There 
are  other,  many  other  as  important  undertakings  as  the  above, 
such  as  cotton  and  woolen  goods,  tools,  implements,  leather  and 
leather  goods,  etc. 

A large  field  is  open  also  in  paper  making,  and  in  the  prep- 
aration of  wood-pulp  for  the  paper  trade  of  Europe  and  Amer- 
ica, there  being  estimated  an  extent  of  not  less  than  one  and 
one-half  million  acres  of  the  finest  pulp-making  material  known 
to  the  paper  world,  readily  accessible  at  different  ports,  both  on 
the  Pacific  and  Gulf  sides  of  the  peninsula,  the  property  of  the 
International  Company. 

Also  there  are  opportunities  equally  favorable,  in  position 
and  extent  of  territory,  in  fibre  products,  similar  to  those  of 
Yucatan,  from  which  are  made  rope  and  cordage,  bagging,  mat- 
ting and  the  like. 


( 11) 

Tobacco-raising  is  profitable.  Cuban  tobacco-growers  buy  largely 
of  Mexican  product. 

Large  fortunes  are  made  in  Central  Mexico  in  planting  the 
so-called  century  plant,  or  aloe,  from  which  are  made  several 
varieties  of  the  national  drink,  called  pulque,  tequila  and  mes- 
cal. It  grows  spontaneously  here  by  the  thousands  of  acres, 
and  for  its  alcoholic  products,  or  for  pure  alcohol  itself,  the  de- 
mand is  greater  than  the  supply.  It  costs  eight  to  fifteen  cents 
per  gallon  to  manufacture,  and  sells  for  fifty  cents  to  $3  per  gal- 
lon, according  to  kind  and  grade. 

In  connection  herewith  it  is  not  inappropriate  to  state  that 
in  Upper  California  the  known  profits  on  fruit  culture,  including 
nut-bearing  trees  and  figs,  bananas,  olives,  prunes,  pears, 
peaches,  apricots,  limes,  oranges  and  grapes,  are,  in  general 
terms,  fair  interest  upon  a valuation  of  $250  per  acre  to  as  high 
as  $2,000  per  acre. 

Improved  lands  sell  for  these  sums.  Unimproved  lands 
bring  $50  to  $200  per  acre.  This  company  is  selling  lands 

FULLY  EQUAL  TO  THE  ABOVE  IN  POINT  OF  FERTILITY,  AND  WITH 
SUPERIOR  ADVANTAGES  IN  CLIMATE  AND  IN  MARKET  PRICE  FOR 
PRODUCT,  AT  FIGURES  SO  LOW  AS  TO  BE  IN  STARTLING  CONTRAST 
WITH  THE  ABOVE  RATES. 

Natural  harbors,  safe  and  attractive,  abound  along  our 
coast,  and  three  dines  of  steamers  are  now  making  regular  trips 

thereto. 


(12) 

Opinions  of  the  Press. 


FACTS  CONCERNING  A COMPARATIVELY  UNKNOWN  COUNTRY. 

The  character  of  the  country  at  large  is  much  the  same  as  that 
of  Southern  California.  The  soil,  productions,  agricultural  and  min- 
eral, the  climate,  are  much  similar.  The  altitude  of  the  mountains 
is  about  the  same  as  those  equally  distant  from  the  coast  in  the 
southern  part  of  this  State. 

In  some  parts  of  the  mountainous  districts  numerous  forests  of 
considerable  importance  are  to  be  found.  The  red  pine,  white 
cedar  and  live  oak  on  the  lower  slopes  comprise  the  major  portion 
of  the  wild  forests.  The  Mexican  mahogany  is  also  found  in  large 
(quantities  in  the  coast  valleys,  which  can  be  used  in  the  manufact- 
ure of  furniture,  etc. 

A party  who  is  well  acquainted  with  the  timber  of  this  section 
is  at  present  figuring  on  establishing  a manufacturing  industry  of 
this  kind  in  or  near  Ensenada.  The  hills  are  now  covered  with 
wild  oats,  alfilaria,  burr-clover  and  an  endless  variety  of  wild 
flowers,  very  similar  to  those  of  this  State. 

Grain  of  all  kinds  grows  in  abundance.  A disinterested  miller 
from  the  East  stated  that  as  fine  a quality  of  wheat  as  he  ever  saw 
was  produced  here.  Barley  and  corn  are  grown  in  large  quanti- 
ties and  pay  magnificent  profits. 

Fruits  of  all  kinds  common  to  Southern  California,  both  citrus 
and  deciduous,  grow  in  great  abundance.  Apples,  peaches,  pears, 
plums,  aqiricots,  nectarines,  loquots,  quinees,  cherries,  prunes,  etc., 
grow  in  great  abundance.  Oranges,  lemons,  limes,  figs,  pomegran- 
ates, strawberries  and  small  fruits  of  all  kinds  are  now  growing  lux- 
uriantly and  pay  handsome  profits.  Graq^es  and  bananas  thrive 
esqiecially  and  qiroduce  largely. 

Being  isolated  from  the  main  continent  of  Mexico,  the  attention 
of  caqbtalists  has  not  been  turned  in  this  direction.  This  is  espe- 
cially the  case  owing  to  the  great  lack  of  facilities  for  reaching  here. 
For  this  reason  the  qirinciqial  industry  of  the  lower  qiortion  of  the 
q:>eninsula  has  been  pearl  fishing,  etc.  The  northern  part  has  been 
known  to  be  especially  adaqited  to  fruit-raising,  but  lack  of  trans- 
portation, as  aforementioned,  has  greatly  retarded  the  progress  of 
its  development. 

The  peninsula  is  watered  better  than  Southern  California,  as  a gen- 


(13) 

eral  rule.  The  streams,  many  of  which  abound,  yield  water  the 
year  round,  and  prospects  for  artesian  water  in  various  parts  of  the 
colony  are  good. 

Ensenada^  the  principal  town,  has  a population  of  from  1,300  to 
1,400,  and  will  doubtless  become  an  important  commercial  and  mari- 
time city,  the  harbor  being  one  of  the  few  good  ones  on  the  Pacific 
coast. — Los  Angeles  Evening  Express,  April  jo,  i88y. 


uom^H  CRuiFOHHiR  Boom. 

IT  IS  ASSUMING  PROPORTIONS  UNDREAMED  OF  A SHORT  TIME  AGOo 
PUNTA  BANDA  CITY  AND  ITS  BIG  HOTEL. 

When  the  International  Company  of  Mexico  launched  its  enter- 
prise in  this  city,  it  was  regarded  with  indifference  by  many,  doubts 
by  some,  and  with  positive  disfavor  by  a few.  The  gentlemen  con- 
nected with  it,  however,  pursued  the  even  tenor  of  their  way,  with- 
out noise  or  ostentation,  diligently  developing  their  scheme,  grad- 
ually gaining  in  public  confidence  and  favor  as  one  forward  step 
after  another  confirmed  the  sincerity  of  their  intentions  as  well  as 
the  merits  of  their  work,  and  to-day  there  is  no  enterprise  in  prog- 
ress about  San  Diego  that  gives  certain  promise  of  larger  and  more 
beneficial  results  than  that  of  the  International  Company  of  Mexico. 
The  progress  of  development  at  Ensenada  has  from  time  to  time 
been  referred  to  in  these  columns.  Also  the  intentions  of  the  com- 
pany with  regard  to  increasing  facilities  for  travel  and  transporta- 
tion between  this  point  and  Ensenada.  Another  enterprise  took 
definite  shape  yesterday,  whose  description  will  excite  great  interest. 
A number  of  capitalists,  comprising  Major  G.  S.  Erb,  of  Salt  Lake; 
Dr.  G.  W.  Snyder,  John  C.  Amendt,  of  Chicago,  and  others,  have 
bought  three  thousand  acres  on  the  shores  of  Todos  Santos  Bay,  ten 
or  fifteen  miles  south  of  Ensenada. 

This  tract  lies  adjacent  to  the  promontory  of  Punta  Banda,  a 
bold  headland  that  pushes  out  three  or  four  miles  into  the  sea, 
forming  the  southern  boundary  of  Todos  Santos  Bay.  It  is  a beau- 
tiful locality,  admirably  adapted  for  just  what  it  is  proposed  to 
make  out  of  it,  namely,  one  of  the  finest  resorts  in  the  world.  The 
land  is  fertile  and  well  watered,  there  being  numerous  springs  of 
both  hot  and  cold  water  upon  it.  The  hot  springs  v/ill  be  utilized 
for  sanitary  purposes,  and  the  cold  ones  for  irrigating  and  domestic 
uses.  One  thousand  acres  will  be  set  apart  for  a hotel  park, 
the  other  two  thousand  will  be  sold  to  settlers.  The  park  will  be 


(14) 

beautified  with  every  possible  form  of  plant  life,  and  will  be  placed 
in  the  hands  of  the  most  skillful  landscape  gardeners  obtainable  for 
the  purpose.  Upon  the  park  will  be  built  at  once  a three-story  hotel, 
containing  400  sleeping-rooms,  besides  parlors^  dining-rooms,  offices, 
etc.  This  hotel  will  have  all  the  appointments  known  to  modern 
first-class  hotel  equipment.  It  will  be  managed  by  Major  Erb,  who 
has  demonstrated  his  capacity  in  that  direction  by  accumulating  a 
fortune  of  more  than  half  a million  in  the  hotel  business.  The  hotel 
will  be  surrounded  by  verandas  at  the  level  of  each  floor,  and  sur- 
mounted by  an  observatory.  It  will  be  so  located  that  pure  water 
under  pressure  will  flow  into  every  part.  At  the  hot  springs,  bath- 
houses will  be  built,  costing  $8,000  to  $10,000,  containing  some 
sixty  bath-rooms,  and  facilities  will  also  be  provided  for  sea  bath- 
ing. As  an  indication  of  what  may  be  expected  for  this  hotel,  in 
the  way  of  patronage,  it  may  be  stated  that  seventy  families  have 
already  engaged  rooms  in  it  for  the  next  winter.  When  this  hotel 
is  finished,  a boat  will  ply  each  way  daily  between  Punta  Banda 
City  and  San  Diego.  Several  other  large  purchases  have  been  made 
in  the  vicinity  of  Punta  Banda,  whose  mention  will  emphasize  the 
importance  of  movements  in  that  locality.  A Chicago  syndi- 
cate has  purchased  six  or  eight  thousand  acres  adjoining, 
which  they  will  colonize.  Walker  Brothers,  wealthy  capitalists 
of  Salt  Lake,  will  visit  the  same  locality  soon,  for  the  purpose 
of  buying.  A New  York  and  Boston  syndicate  have  bought  a large 
and  fertile  valley  from  the  International  Company.  This  is  also  to 
be  colonized.  Still  another  syndicate  is  taking  hold  of  mining 
properties  which  have  been  examined  by  experts  and  pronounced 
superior  to  anything  above  the  line.  These  mines  are  in 
the  southern  part  of  the  company’s  lands.  Connected  with  the 
mining  project  is  a proposition  to  build  a railroad  lengthwise  of  the 
peninsula  of  Lower  California,  with  a branch  to  Ensenada  and 
Punta  Banda,  and  machine  shops  at  San  Diego. 

A prominent  medical  gentleman  took  samples  of  the  Punta 
Banda  Hot  Springs  water  to  New  York  fur  analysis,  and  is  so  well 
satisfied  as  to  its  virtues  that  he  is  now  here  proposing  to  erect  an 
extensive  sanitarium  at  the  new  city. 

These  are  not  mere  visionary  schemes.  Those  of  them  that  are 
not  fixed  facts  will  probably  become  so  within  a short  time. 

Many  of  the  men  connected  with  these  enterprises  are  very 
wealthy.  Over  fifty  lots  were  sold  in  the  new  city  yesterday. — 
Sa7i  Diego  Daily  U7iio7L^  May  i88/. 


(15) 


EliSErlHDH. 

A NEW  AMERICAN  COLONY’s  BRILLIANT  FUTURE  IN  ^LOWER  CALIFORNIA. 

A.  Gonzales  has  just  returned  to  this  city  after  a visit  to  the 
Ensenada  settlement  in  Lower  California,  which  is  on  the  west  coast, 
about,  sixty  miles  south  of  San  Diego.  Mr.  Gonzales  speaks  very 
highly  of  the  new  colony,  which  is  largely  an  American  enterprise 
and  not  yet  a year  old.  Ten  months  ago  there  were  only  two  or 
three  buildings  of  any  consequence  in  the  town,  and  now  there  is  a 
very  respectable  town  of  over  1,500  inhabitants,  with  postoffice,  cus- 
tom-house, hotels,  etc.  A large  fruit-canning  establishment  is  in 
operation.  A brewery,  a broom  factory,  and  other  extensive  enter- 
prises are  soon  to  be  started.  When  suitable  irrigation  facilities 
have  been  established  the  natural  richness  of  the  soil  promises  mag- 
nificent returns  to  the  agriculturalist.  As  it  is,  grass  grows  luxu- 
riantly all  the  year  round,  and  the  climate  is  low  and  equable  and 
pleasant. 

The  territory  embraced  by  the  concession  of  the  Mexican  Gov- 
ernment to  the  International  Company,  as  it  is  called,  consists  of 
the  upper  half  of  Lower  California,  and,  besides  its  agricultural  pos- 
sibilities, its  mining  resources  have  already  asserted  themselves, 
there  being  twenty  gold  mines  in  full  operation  in  the  vicinity  of 
Ensenada,  and  120  on  which  titles  are  being  perfected,  prior  to  ex- 
tensive work  being  commenced  thereon.  These  are  free-milling 
quartz  mines,  with  a large  percentage  of  silver.  There  are  also  iron 
and  copper  mines  in  the  neighborhood.  Twenty  miles  south  of  En- 
senada is  an  iron  mine  which  produces  ore  of  which  seventy-five 
per  cent,  is  iron  of  the  finest  quality  for  steel  manufactures. 

Mr.  Gonzales  thinks  that  one  of  the  principal  features  of  success 
in  the  new  colony  will  consist  of  its  manufacturing  industries,  the 
object  being  to  import  American  raw  material  and  manufacture 
into  goods  which  may  be  sold  throughout  Mexico,  duty  free. 

Besides  granting  the  concession  to  Louis  Huller  to  form  the  In- 
ternational Company,  the  Mexican  Government  has  also  voted  the 
Company  a large  subsidy  for  the  purpose  of  building  and  maintain- 
ing a steamship  line  to  run  from  San  Diego  to  Central  America, 
touching  at  Ensenada  and  San  Quintin,  which  is  about  seventy  miles 
farther  south;  thence  to  Mazatlan  and  other  way  ports. 

Many  who  went  there  barefooted  and  in  rags  are  now  well  to  do, 
and  some  own  property  valued  at  $5,000  or  more. — San  Francisco 
Exammer,  May  7,  i88j 


(16) 


The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  has  effected  an  organization 
at  Phisenada,  and  a building  is  to  be  erected  at  once.  The  following 
subscriptions  have  been  listed: 


The  International  Company  of  Mexico $1  000 

Geo.  H.  Sisson 500 

Dr.  Geo.  W.  Snyder 100 

G.  S.  Erb 100 

F.  E.  Bates 100 

llanbnry  & Garvey,  paid 100 

Charles  Bennett 100 

.John  Ginty,  paid 100 

Fred  Hamilton.  50 

M.  Bernstein 50 

T.  G.  Welles 100 

L.  P.  Crane 100 

.1.  C.  Amendt 100 

Guaranteed  from  other  sources  500 


Total  $3,000 


— Safi  Diego  Morning  News,  May  g,  i88y. 


R mflmmoTK  Pf^ojECT. 

The  International  Colonization  Company,  which  few  have  taken 
the  trouble  to  inquire  into,  and  whose  good  reputation  has  been  in- 
jured by  thoughtless  persons  who  have  confounded  the  colonization 
scheme  with  the  Topolobampo  Colony  or  other  colonization  schemes 
that  have  attempted  to  found  a colony  on  the  east  side  of  Mexico  in 
the  unhealthy  latitude  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  have  now  completed 
arrangements  to  receive  and  accommodate  investors  and  colonists  in 
Lower  California.  This  company  has  a capital  of  one  hundred  and 
thirty  million  dollars,  and  includes  some  of  the  wealthiest  men  of 
the  United  States  and  England.  It  has  bought  of  the  Mexican 
Government  about  eighty-six  million  acres  of  land.  For  colonizing 
these  lands  the  Government  has  given  the  company  extraordinary 
concessions,  among  which  is  franchise  for  a steamship  line,  a remis- 
sion of  taxes  for  twenty  years  on  raw  material  for  manufacture,  free 
duty  on  supplies  for  colonists,  and  free  exports  to  all  other  States  of 
Mexico. — San  Diego  Morning  News,  May  g,  i88y. 


r 


(17) 

ErlSEflnDfl. 

THE  NEW  CITY  IN  LOWER  CALIFORNIA. 

A News  reporter,  knowing  that  Mr.  A.  E.  Horton  had  but  re- 
cently returned  from  a visit  to  Ensenada,  and  also  knowing  that  his 
opinion  as  to  the  stability  and  virtue  of  Ensenada’s  boom  would  be 
valuable,  determined  to  seek  an  interview  with  him  on  that  subject, 
and  accordingly  called  upon  him  at  his  palatial  residence  on  Flor- 
ence Heights  last  evening.  The  News  man  was  cordially  received 
by  Mr.  Horton,  when  he  stated  his  errand,  and  was  invited  to  enter 
the  parlor,  where  he  was  introduced  to  Mr.  Horton’s  life-long  friend 
and  present  guest,  E.  P.  May,  a prominent  banker  and  manufacturer 
of  Fort  Atkinson,  Wisconsin,  and  who  accompanied  Mr.  Horton  on 
his  trip  to  Ensenada. 

The  News  man  then  asked  the  gentlemen  to  give  their  views  on 
Ensenada.  Mr.  Horton  said;  “I  find  that  Ensenada  has  a sur- 
rounding country  of  over  one  hundred  thousand  acres  of  splendid 
land.  Mr.  May  and  myself  probably  traveled  over  eighty  miles. 
We  went  over  the  level  country,  through  the  valleys  and  ravines, 
and  to  the  base  of  the  mountains.  They  were  well  watered,  and  it 
will  be  easy  to  irrigate  the  level  country  from  the  mountain  streams. 
We  went  to  the  place  they  call  (I  think)  Punta  Banda,  fifteen  miles 
from  Ensenada,  at  any  rate,  it  is  the  place  where  they  are  going  to 
build  the  large  hotel.  In  my  opinion,  that  is  the  location  formed 
by  nature  for  a city  of  one  hundred  thousand  inhabitants;  in  fact,  I 
believe  its  location  for  a city  superior  to  that  of  Ensenada.  I think 
it  the  most  lovely  spot  outside  of  San  Diego  I ever  saw,  and  I expect 
to  build  a cottage  there,  where  I can  go  with  my  wife  whenever  we 
want  to  take  a pleasure  trip.  There  is  a beautiful  lake  there  of 
calm,  clear  water,  its  depths  abounding  with  all  kinds  of  fish,  and 
its  surface  with  every  variety  of  water-fowl. 

“There  is  a fine,  almost  land-lock^-d,  harbor  at  this  place,  better 
than  any  between  San  Diego  and  San  Francisco,  where  ships  on 
their  way  from  Panama  to  San  Diego  or  San  Francisco  can  safely 
put  in.  There  is  room  to  build  a wharf,  which  at  a length  of  three 
hundred  feet  from  land  will  meet  a depth  at  which  vessels  of  the 
greatest  draught  can  unload. 

“On  the  whole  I think  it  is  destined  to  become  a great  city, 
both  in  a commercial  point  of  view  and  as  a pleasure  resort.  I 
think  it  should  become  the  Saratoga  of  the  Southwest.” 

The  News  man  asked  Mr.  May  what  his  opinion  of  the  Ense- 
nada country  was,  and  whether  as  a man  of  business  experience  he 
could  recommend  it.  He  said  : “I  believe  it  will  become  a great 


(18) 

farming  country,  and  that  the  cities  of  Ensenada  and  Punta  Banda 
will  become  large  cities.  I also  believe  the  titles  given  by 
the  International  Company  of  Mexico  to  purchasers  of  land 
at  Ensenada  are  good,  because  the  members  of  the  company  are 
responsible  men.  At  any  rate  I intend  to  invest  in  Ensenada  real 
estate,  for  I believe  I will  reap  a good  profit  on  the  investment. 

“The  great  boom  which  is  now  bringing  new  inhabitants,  sub- 
stantial men  and  great  capital  to  all  parts  of  Southern  California,  is 
bound  to  extend  into  Lower  California,  and  land  there  will  be  sure 
to  increase  in  value.  I also  believe  that  the  increasing  growth  and 
prosperity  of  San  Diego  will  be  sure  to  help  Ensenada.  If  the  pro- 
posed railroad  is  built  between  this  city  and  that  place,  nothing  on 
earth  can  prevent  it  from  springing  up  like  a mushroom,  and  I am 
informed  that  it  will  be  built,  as  contracts  for  the  rails  and  ties  have 
already  been  made  by  the  International  Company.” — San  Diego 
News,  June  /,  i88y. 


SUBSIDY  AND  FRANCHISES  FOR  A RAILROAD  FROM  ENSENADA  TO  FORT 

YUMA. 

San  Francisco  Examiner:  Major  G.  S.  Erb,  proprietor  of  the 
Walker  House,  Salt  Lake,  returned  on  Monday  from  Ensenada, 
Lower  California,  bringing  some  interesting  information  from  that 
section  of  the  world. 

“The  Mexican  Government,”  said  the  Major  to  an  Examiner 
reporter,  who  met  him  at  the  Palace,  “has  just  granted  a franchise 
and  subsidy — I am  not  at  liberty  to  say  how  much,  but  enough, 
nevertheless — for  the  building  of  a railroad  from  Ensenada  to  Fort 
Yuma,  a distance  of  175  miles,  also  to  the  United  States  boundary 
line,  nine  miles  from  the  terminus  of  the  Atchison,  Topeka  & Santa 
Fe  at  San  Diego. 

“The  construction  of  the  road,”  added  Mr.  Erb,  “will  be  com^ 
menced  at  once.  -- - — 

“In  addition  to  this  the  South  American  Steamship  Company 
goes  into  active  operation  August  24,  and  under  a franchise  lately 
obtained  the  International  Company  are  allowed  to  build  any  piers, 
wharves  or  warehouses  needed  at  any  point  between  San  Diego  and 
San  Jose  de  Guatemala,  Central  America.” 

Major  Erb  is  soon  to  erect  a big  hotel  at  Punta  Banda,  ten  miles 


(19) 

by  water  and  seventeen  miles  by  land  from  Ensenada,  at  the  hot 
salt  springs  just  at  the  top  of  the  estuary.  Major  Erb  said:  • 

^‘The  hotel  will  be  852  feet  long,  80  wide  and  three  stories  high, 
and,  while  on  the  edge  of  the  innpr  estuary  or  bay,  will  command  a 
view  of  the  Todos  Santos  Bay.  This  section  is  protected  from  the 
southwestern  winds  by  mountains  4,000  feet  high. 

“Between  Punta  Banda  and  Ensenada  are  four  streams  of  fresh 
water  that  supply  all  that  is  needed  for  irrigation  or  domestic  use. 

“There  is  lots  of  good  land  around  there.  It  has  been  cut  up 
in  6b,  25  and  50  acre  tracts,  and  is  selling  for  about  $50  an  acre. 

“The  inner  bay  is  full  of  a great  variety  of  fish.  I never  saw 
so  many  before  in  my  life.  There  are  lots  of  turtles  here,  too.  Some 
of  them  will  weigh  300  or  400  pounds. 

“The  land  will  raise  anything.  A man  named  Bennett  has 
several  hundred  acres  of  corn,  and  he  has  wheat  which  will  average 
seventy  bushels  to  the  acre.  Oranges,  lemons  and  about  everything 
you  can  think  of,  grow  there.” 

Major  Erb  left  for  Salt  Lake  City  yesterday,  but  will  return  to 
Punta  Banda  in  June. — Sa.7i  Diego  Swi,  Ju7ie  7,  i88y. 


CCllliUlOJiS  OF  RCI^HS. 

BANDS  OF  STEEL  TO  LINK  THE  MEXICAN  PROVINCE  TO  THE  GOLDEN 
STATE— VAST  PROJECTS  OF  COLONIZATION STEAMER  LINES. 

With  perhaps  the  exception  of  a hazy  notion  that  pearl  oysters 
and  wild  goats  are  abundant  somewhere  on  or  about  the  peninsula 
of  Lower  California,  the  average  reader  is  not  at  all  posted  on  the 
climate,  geography,  topography  or  resources  of  Baja  California.  In 
fact  it  will  be  an  announcement  carrying  with  it  no  little  astonish- 
ment, when  the  statement  is  made  that  Lower  California  presents 
to-day  perhaps  one  of  the  finest  opportunities  for  successful  coloniza- 
tion afforded  on  this  continent.  When  the  tide  of  immigration 
began  to  sweep  over  the  southern  portion  of  the  State,  it  followed  as 
an  inevitable  consequence  that  ere  long  attention  was  directed  to 
the  vast  tract  of  fertile  lands  just  over  the  southern  border.  The 
Covernment  of  Mexico  was  not  slow  to  see  wherein  the  encourage- 
ment of  colonization  on  the  peninsula  would  result  in  great  benefit 
to  Mexico,  and  so  at  once  made  most  liberal  concessions  and  offered 
generous  subsidies.  The  result  of  all  this  was  that  several  American 
and  English  capitalists  determined  to  invest  in  land  just  over  the 
line,  and  for  that  purpose  organized  the  International  Company  of 


(20) 

Mexico,  and  purchased  a tract  of  land  stretching  down  the  penin- 
sula for  300  miles,  and  embracing  fully  20,000,000  acres  of  fertile 
lands. 

In  point  of  fact,  the  district  secured  is  nothing  less  than  the 
entire  northern  portion  of  the  peninsula,  beginning  at  the  National 
boundary  and  reaching  from  the  Gulf  of  California  on  the  one  side  and 
to  the  Pacific  Ocean  on  the  other.  The  company  did  not  secure  the 
lands  to  hold  them  for  sale  at  a far  distant  date,  but  to  actively  set 
about,  in  a vigorous  and  systematic  manner,  to  settle  and  develop 
them.  There  is  no  reason  to  doubt  but  that  in  a very  few  years  a 
thriving  and  thickly- settled  province  will  be  brought  into  existence 
and  corresjionding  commercial  importance  by  the  well-directed 
energy  of  this  company. 

The  topography  of  this  tract  is  such  as  to  be  of  great  attraction. 
The  valleys  are  sheltered  by  high  mountains  and  are  abundantly 
watered.  The  soil,  too,  is  well  adapted  for  the  cultivation  of  the 
grape,  and  three  miles  from  the  coast  timber  is  abundant.  Tropical 
and  semi-tropical  fruits  are  raised  in  abundance,  as  well  as  the 
hardier  products  of  the  temperate  zone.  According  to  report  obser- 
vations extending  over  a period  of  ten  years  have  shown  but  forty 
days  in  which  the  thermometer  was  above  eighty-five  degrees. 

The  principal  town  will  be  Ensenada,  of  which  so  much  has 
been  heard  of  late.  This  town  is  situated  on  the  Bay  of  Todos  San- 
tos, and  already  has  a population  of  1,400,  mostly  American.  The 
town  is  laid  out  on  a generous  scale,  the  lots  being  82x164  feet,  the 
streets  and  avenues  82  feet  in  width  andjength  of  fiftten  miles. 

In  fhjTcouHir^  a recent  interview,  which  was  published  in  the 
San  Diego  Sun,  L.  P.  Crane,  of  Chicago,  who  has  invested 
heavily  in  Lower  California,  stated  that  a colony  of  eighty 
families  is  being  formed  at  Chicago,  with  a view  to  purchasing  100,- 
000  acres  in  the  San  Tomas  Valley.  A colony  is  also  being  organ- 
ized in  New  York  and  New  England,  which  will  purchase  from  200,- 
000  to  300,000  acres  in  two  or  three  valleys  near  Ensenada,  while 
the  agent  of  the  com])any  in  London  reports  that  he  can  colonize 
the  largest  valley — San  Quintin — in  three  months,  as  he  has  from 
ninety  to  one  hundred  families  already  secured.  Railroads  are  to 
])e  built  from  Ensenadii  to  Yuma  and  San  Diego,  the  Mexican  Gov- 
ernment having  granted  a subsidy  of  812,000  a mile.  Large  iron 
and  coal  deposits  have  })cen  found  and  will  be  developed.  A new 
town,  San  Carlos,  is  to  be  built  on  Todos  Santos  Bay,  nine  miles 
south  of  Ensenada,  and  a great  cotton-mill  will  be  built  in  it.  The 
Government  proposes  building  floating  docks  at  this  place  worth 
8600,000.  The  Todos  Santos  Land  and  Water  Company,  with  a 
stock  of  81,000,000,  controls  all  the  water-courses  leading  into  Todos 
Santos  Bay,  and  will  store  the  water  and  pipe  it  all  over  the  tract. 


(21) 

The  business  of  the  company  in  real  estate  sales  during  the  past 
month  has  exceeded  the  sum  of  $800,000.  The  company  has  se- 
cured from  Mexico  a remission  of  taxes  for  twenty  years  on  raw 
material  for  manufacture,  free  duty  on  supplies  for  colonists  and 
free  exports  to  all  other  States  of  Mexico. 

Mr.  Crane  also  said:  “ There  are  eight  steamers  being  built  at 

the  present  time  on  the  Clyde.  One  will  be  here  about  August  1st, 
and  is  now  en  route.  It  is  of  1,600  tons  burden — larger  than  the 
Santa  Rosa.  There  are  three  others  building  of  the  same  size. 
They  will  form  the  Southern  Pacific  Steamship  Company,  and  will 
run  to  Guatemala.  They  each  have  a subsidy  of  $8,000  from  the 
Mexican  Government  for  each  trip.  This  may  appear  large,  but  in 
reality  it  is  only  about  one  third  of  what  the  Government  of  Mexico 
will  realize  in  duties  from  each  of  these  trips.  This  company  also 
has  the  exclusive  right  to  build  and  operate  docks  at  each  port 
where  the  steamers  touch.  The  four  smaller  steamers  now  being 
constructed  on  the  Clyde  will  be  about  as  large  as  the  City  of  To- 
peka, and  will  ply  between  San  Diego  and  points  in  Baja  California, 
only.  They  will  get  here  the  last  of  this  year.  The  iron  has 
already  been  ordered  east  for  an  iron  dock  for  Ensenada,  and  it  will 
soon  be  built.” 

In  conversation  with  a reporter  of  the  San  Diego  Daily  News 
last  Aveek,  C.  W.  Smith,  vice-president  of  the  Atchison,  Topeka  & 
Santa  Fe,  used  the  following  language: 

“As  to  the  International  Company  of  Mexico,  I consider  it  one 
of  the  greatest  enterprises  of  modern  times.  I am  acquainted  with 
the  men  who  are  interested  in  it  and  know  them  to  be  men  of  honor, 
responsibility  and  wealth,  who  can  back  anything  they  agree  to  do, 
and  who  have  the  requisite  brains  and  energy  to  develop  this  mam- 
moth scheme  for  the  colonization  of  the  rich  agricultural  and  min- 
ing lands  of  Lower  California.  A line  of  steamers  will  ply  between 
San  Diego  and  Ensenada  and  Todos  Santos  Harbor.  The  line  of 
railroad  which  has  been  subsidized  by  the  Mexican  Government 
Avill  soon  be  running  to  the  boundary  line  which  separates  it  from 
the  United  States.  As  soon  as  it  reaches  Tia  Juana  our  company 
Avill  extend  its  line  to  Tia  Juana  to  meet  it,  thus  making  a direct 
line  from  all  parts  of  the  State,  communicating  with  every  part  of 
Lower  California.  Yes,  I think  the  conception  of  the  International 
Company  a grand  one,  and  one  that  reflects  great  credit  on  its  orig- 
inators. ” 

It  is  also  stated  that  friends  of  the  International  Company  pro- 
pose to  start  a line  of  steamers  from  San  Diego  to  China  and  fiapan 
as  soon  as  it  can  l)e  arranged.  It  may  be  a year  or  two  before  the 
ships  are  built  and  arrangements  completed,  but  they  propose  to 
build  the  finest  ships  money  will  buy,  regardless  of  cost,  making 


(22) 

them  equal  to  any  line  now  afloat  on  the  Pacific  Ocean.  The  com- 
nany^is  now  being  formed. 

The  line  of  road  from  Ensenada  to  Yuma  will’in  alEprobability 
be  operated  by  the  Southern  Pacific. — San  Francisco  Alta  Califor- 
nian, June  i6,i88y. 


POPOliflLTIOl^  OF  ElSlSEl^flDfl. 

The  population  of  Ensenada  is  computed  by  competent  author- 
ity to  be  about  1,400  souls — men,  women  and  children.  The  nation- 


ality is  about  as  follows  : 

Americans 620 

Mexicans 530 

Spaniards 95 

British 75 

Germans 60 

French 10 

Chilians 5 

Chinamen ; 5 

Russians 1 

Negroes 1 


1400 


— Voice  of  the  Frontier,  April  ^o,  i88y^ 


A large  number  of  people  who  have  seen  the  growth,  not  only 
of  Southern  California,  but  of  all  parts  of  the  ‘^Golden  State,”  have 
settled  on  the  peninsula  of  Lower  California,  and  are  engaging  in 
those  pursuits  which  have  been  profitable  to  them  in  this  State. 
They  are  sowing  grain,  putting  in  orchards  and  planting  vineyards, 
and  they  will  continue  to  do  so. 

There  is  abundant  information  of  an  official  character  that  has 
been  published  by  the  United  States  Government,  as  a result  of  sur- 
veys along  the  coast  of  Lower  California,  just  as  there  is  also  a plen- 
tiful supply  of  descriptions  written  for  the  papers  of  this  State  and 
for  papers  in  the  East  by  uninterested  parties,  in  which  the  delight- 
ful climate  and  fruitful  soil  are  mentioned  and  described.  The 
press  of  San  Diego  contained  interesting  descriptive  accounts  of  that 
country  long  before  any  efforts  were  dreamed  of  for  its  settlement. 
As  soon  as  there  were  means  of  developing  the  resources  of  Lower 
California  and  getting  its  produce  to  markets,  the  tide  of  settlement 
turned  that  way  and  has  continued  without  interruption. — San 
Diego  Daily  Su?i,  April  i6,  i88/. 


(23) 

TflE  SOlJTflEl^rl  PACIFIC  COAST. 

THE  COAST  LANDSCAPE LOWER  CALIFORNIA  — ITS  WESTERN  COAST 

AND  CLIMATE. 

Lower  California,  as  may  be  seen  by  a reference  to  the  map,  is 
but  an  extension  of  the  California  coast  range  southward,  having 
a land  connection  with  its  entire  breadth,  and  being  separated  from 
Mexico  by  the  Colorado  river  and  the  Gulf  of  California,  thus  form- 
ing a peninsula  of  about  750  miles  in  length  and  from  30  to  150 
miles  in  breadth.  It  is  but  sparsely  inhabited  by  Mexicans  and 
mixed  races,  having  had  in  1868  but  21,000  inhabitants,  and  those 
mostly  in  the  southern  portion  of  its  territory.  For  lack  of  facility 
of  commerce  by  rail  the  northern  portion  was  practically  unin- 
habited except  by  scattering  ranch-men  and  a few  Indians.  It  is 
this  portion  I visited  in  company  with  a party  representing  more 
than  a dozen  different  States  of  our  Union.  The  general  make-up 
of  the  physical  character  of  this  portion  of  Lower  California  is  as 
described  above,  and  its  climate  is  a marvel  to  all  who  visit  it.  As 
the  great  scientist,  Agassiz,  in  1872,  as  a member  of  the  Hassler 
scientific  expedition,  in  a brief  address  to  an  assembly  of  pioneers, 
said: 

“I  have  seen  many  parts  of  the  world,  I have  made  some  study 
of  the  subject.  It  is  the  question  of  climate  I refer  to.  You  are 
here  on  the  32d  parallel,  beyond  the  reach  of  the  severe  winters  of 
the  northern  latitudes.  You  have  a great  capital  in  your  climate. 
It  will  be  worth  millions  to  you.  This  is  one  of  the  favored  spots 
of  the  earth,  and  people  will  come  to  you  from  all  quarters  to  live 
in  your  genial  and  healthful  atmosphere.” 

This  language  of  the  distinguished  American  scientist  was 
prophetic,  and  had  he  lived  to  the  present  he  would  have  witnessed 
the  beginning  of  the  rush  of  its  fulfillment.  In  Johnson’s  Encylo- 
paedia,  in  speaking  of  the  northern  portion  of  Lower  California,  it  is 
said:  “The  climate  is  shown  by  the  recorded  observation  of  the 

United  States  signal  station  established  here,  to  be  the  mildest  and 
most  equable  of  which  any  knowledge  exists.” 

Similar  the  American  Cyclopaedia,  after  referring  to  the  ex- 
cessive heat  of  a section  of  the  peninsula,  near  its  southern  point,  says: 
“ But  further  north  the  air  is  cooler.  The  summer  temperature 
on  the  Pacific  coast  ranges  from  58  degrees  to  71  degrees;  that  of 
the  Gulf  coast  is  hotter.  The  sky  is  remarkable  for  its  transparency 
and  deep  azure  color,  save  at  sunset,  when  it  is  often  variegated  by 
the  most  beautiful  shades  of  violet,  purple  and  green.” 

There  is  no  doubt  the  great  evenness  in  the  temperature  along 
the  Pacific  beach  of  Lower  California  is  due  in  large  part  to  its 


having  the  Pacific  Ocean  on  one  side  and  the  Gulf  of  California  on 
the  other. 

If  there  is  anything  in  a pure  ocean  atmosphere,  in  great  and 
almost  unparalleled  regularity  of  temperature,  in  the  total  obsence 
of  sources  producing  miasma,  or  in  a vigorous  atmosphere  free  alike 
from  excessive  dampness  and  chilliness,  and  burning  dryness,  as 
naturally  favorable  to  health,  then  this  must  be  a most  healthful 
country.  I heard  several  physicians  (one  resident  and  the  other  of 
our  company)  give  it  as  their  opinion  that  for  all  kinds  of  remedial 
lung  troubles,  bronchitis,  asthma,  symptoms  of  approaching  con- 
sumption, catarrhal  affections,  rheumatism,  etc.,  this  climate  pre- 
sents more  hope  of  relief  or  cure  than  all  medicines  on  earth  without 
it.  And  here,  at  this  bay,  about  22  miles  from  Ensenada,  there  are 
some  highly  medical  hot  springs,  where  a hotel  of  four  hundred 
rooms’  capacity  will  be  erected  this  summer  by  Major  Erb,  of  Salt 
Lake  City,  and  a town  and  park  at  once  started,  called  Punta  Banda, 
there  will  be  a wonderful  resort  for  health  and  pleasure  seekers, 
where  ocean,  sky  and  medicinal  fountains  will  be  united  in  helpful- 
ness to  suffering  humanity.  Fifty  families,  I noticed  in  the  papers, 
had  already  engaged  rooms  in  the  coming  hotel  for  the  ensuing 
winter.  The  water  has  been  tested  by  chemists  of  merit  and  pro- 
nounced superior  in  medicinal  quality;  and  what  is  more,  it  has 
been  practically  tested  by  residents  and  visitors  who  unite  in  the 
praise  of  its  beneficial  effects. 

Neither  this  t^limate  nor  this  water  in  any  of  its  uses,  however, 
can  raise  the  dead,  and  here  is  where  so  many  make  a great  mistake 
in  seeking  climatic  benefits — they  wait  till  they  are  dying  and  then 
make  the  attempt  to  get  there;  some  dying  on  the  way,  and  many 
more  hastily  returning  to  their  old  home  in  time  to  die,  or  lingering 
a year  or  two  on  the  coast  and  then  passing  away.  Many  mistakes 
are  thus  made  in  the  attempt  to  save  life  by  which  life  is  often  but 
shortened.  Let  health  seekers  note  these  points: 

1.  Go  in  time.  If  the  climate  is  to  help,  there  must  be  suffi- 
cient vitality  in  the  system  left  to  act  as  a restorative  force. 

2.  Do  not  settle  too  far  to  the  north,  where  the  climatic  changes 
between  the  seasons  are  too  great  and  the  atmospheric  temperature 
varies  too  much  during  the  day  and  night,  being  above  100  degrees 
in  the  middle  of  the  day,  and  down  to  40  degrees  before  morning. 

3.  As  a rule,  for  people  from  the  Middle  or  Eastern  or  Western 
States,  a high  mountain  altitude  is  not  favorable,  especially  for  such 
as  are  afflicted  with  lung  or  heart  troubles.  I could  think  of  no  place 
where  all  the  helpful  climatic  elements  are  more  perfectly  present 
and  united  than  along  the  beach  of  Southern  and  Lower  California. 
— Rev.  D.  B.  Byers  (of  Naperville,  III.)  in  Evangelical  Messenger, 
Cleveland,  O. , June  21,  i88y. 


THE  FINE  NEW  STEAMER 


(( 


Carlos  Pacheco 


)) 


LEAVES  BABCOCK  & STORY’S  WHARF,  SAN  DIEGO,  FOR 

Ensenada,  Lower  California, 


MONDAY,  WEDNESDAY  AND  FRIDAY. 


e:30  JP. 


Returning,  Leaves  Ensenada  Every 

TUESDAY,  THURSDAY  AND  SATURDAY 


FARE 


SINGLE  TRIP, $5.00 

ROUND  TRIP, S7.50 


Parties  desiring  passage  should  apply  early  in  order  to  secure 
best  accommodations.  For  Tickets,  Freight  rates  and  other 
information,  apply  to 


CHARLES  SCOFIELD, 

AGENT, 

First  National  Bank  Building,  Room  10,  San  Diego,  California. 


